Smart Design for UAVs: Understanding the Usage and Precautions of UAV Batteries

As electric-powered unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) become increasingly prevalent, the proper usage of UAV batteries is crucial for ensuring both flight safety and battery longevity. CTECHi's intelligent UAV warehouse, utilizing RFID technology, offers standardized management for UAV operations, enhancing safety and efficiency.

CTECHi's smart battery charging cabinets allow users to monitor battery quantity, status (charging, fully charged, stored, communication failure, etc.), current capacity, temperature, SN code, charging cycles, usage history, lifespan, damaged batteries, and active batteries through the intelligent warehouse management system.

Here's some essential information regarding UAV batteries:

1. Basic Structure of Lithium-ion UAV Batteries:

   • Positive electrode: Typically composed of lithium cobalt oxide or lithium nickel cobalt manganese oxide.

   • Negative electrode: Composed of graphite or graphite-like carbon.

   • Positive electrode tab: Made of aluminum (Al) composite.

   • Negative electrode tab: Made of nickel (Ni) or nickel-plated copper (Ni-Cu) for good conductivity.

   • Electrolyte: Consists of lithium hexafluorophosphate dissolved in carbonate solvent or gel-like electrolyte.

   • Separator: A specialized polymer film with microporous structure.

2. Voltage System of UAV Lithium-ion Batteries: UAV batteries are classified into high-voltage system batteries (rated voltage 3.8V, charging upper limit voltage 4.375V) and conventional voltage system batteries (rated voltage 3.7V, charging upper limit voltage 4.25V).

3. Avoid Over-discharge: To prevent battery damage or potential hazards like internal short circuits, UAV batteries should not be discharged below 2.5V per cell.

4. Avoid Overcharge: Specialized chargers should be used to prevent overcharging, as it may reduce battery lifespan or lead to thermal runaway and fire hazards.

5. Partial Charging for Storage: Fully charged batteries should not be stored for more than seven days. For long-term storage, batteries should be charged to 3.80-3.96V per cell.

6. Long-term Storage: If batteries are not used for more than three months, they should be cycled once before adjusting the voltage to 3.80-3.96V per cell for storage.

7. Protection from Physical Damage: UAV batteries should be protected from dropping or impact to avoid deformation and internal short circuits, which can accelerate battery degradation or cause fires.

8. Avoid Contact with Sharp Objects: Direct contact with sharp objects should be avoided to prevent packaging damage and electrolyte leakage, which may lead to battery failure or combustion.

By adhering to these guidelines, UAV operators can ensure the safe and efficient use of lithium-ion batteries, thereby maximizing the performance and lifespan of their UAVs.